DSX jack including sliding rear connector

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly and method, the assembly having a housing which defines a connector window. A connector is disposed within the window. The connector is slidable between a first and second position relative to the housing. The assembly may include a carriage for receiving one or more connectors. The carriage slides with the connectors between first and second positions. The assembly may include means for retaining the carriage and connectors in a selected position relative to the housing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.09/835,067, filed Apr. 13, 2001, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to telecommunications connectors.More specifically the present invention relates to connectors mounted injack modules or equipment panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Telecommunications equipment typically includes large numbers ofcables connected to equipment panels or modules mounted in chassissystems. In order to make the most efficient use of available space,equipment panels have increasingly become more densely populated withconnectors for securing cables thereto, and cable connector modules havebecome increasingly smaller to fit more connector locations within onechassis.

[0004] One factor which limits the density of connectors intelecommunication equipment is the outside dimension of matingconnectors on the ends of the cables which must be connected to theconnectors in equipment panels or modules. If the connectors in thepanel or module are spaced too closely together, it becomes difficult tofit the mating connectors side-by-side over the panel connectors. Toavoid this problem, prior systems have employed staggered connectorpanels or have designed two different connector modules with differentarrangements of the connectors so that when the two different modulesare placed next to each other in an alternating arrangement, a staggeredpattern of connectors is achieved. This method, however, requires themanufacturer to make two different modules, and requires the user topurchase two different modules. There is a need for a simple, efficientmeans to densely populate connector panels or modules with connectors,yet still allow sufficient space for accessing the connector duringcable installation and for receiving densely spaced mating connectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a connectorassembly having a planar surface which defines a connector window lyingin a first plane. The assembly includes a connector received in theconnector window. The connector is slidable between first and secondpositions within the connector window parallel to the first plane.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a carriagewhich receives the connector. The carriage is slidable with theconnector between first and second positions relative to the connectorhousing. The carriage may include means for retaining the carriage in aselected position. The means for retaining the carriage may includedepressible tabs or other elements having edges to oppose the connectorhousing. The carriage may also include guiderails to be received inguide-slots of the connector housing to guide the carriage between firstand second positions.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a carriageassembly including two opposed carriage members defining recesses. Thecarriage members include means for joining the carriage members in amating arrangement, thereby trapping a plurality of connectors betweenthe carriage members in the recesses. The connectors may include collarsfor preventing axial movement of the connectors relative to thecarriage. The carriage may also include a depressible tab.

[0008] An additional aspect of the present invention relates to aconnector assembly having first and second opposed panels. The firstopposed panel includes a plurality of ports, and the second panelincludes a plurality of slidable connectors which are electricallyconnected to the ports. The ports may include cross-connect ports,monitoring ports, and access ports. The circuit connecting the ports andthe connectors may be a switching circuit.

[0009] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method forarranging a plurality of connectors into a staggered arrangementincluding the steps of placing two connector housings having slidableconnectors adjacent one another, and sliding one connector into adifferent position. The connector could be slid before the modules areplaced adjacent each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of four jack modules withsliding rear connectors according to the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the modules of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the modules of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a side view of the modules of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a jack module with slidingrear connectors according to the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a first front perspective view of the module of FIG. 5.

[0016]FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit of aswitching jack.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a second front perspective view of the module of FIG. 5.

[0018]FIG. 8 is front perspective view of a connector carriage assemblyaccording to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the connector carriage assembly ofFIG. 8.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a first alternativeembodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of two adjacent connectorassemblies according to the embodiment of FIG. 11.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a second alternativeembodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of two adjacent connectorassemblies according to the embodiment of FIG. 12.

[0024]FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of a third alternativeembodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of two adjacent connectorassemblies according to the embodiment of FIG. 14.

[0026]FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a fourth alternativeembodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of two adjacent connectorassemblies according to the embodiment of FIG. 16.

[0028]FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of a fifth alternativeembodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of two adjacent connectorassemblies according to the embodiment of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention relates to jack modules or othertelecommunications equipment which include connectors which may beselectively positioned between at least first and second positions bysliding the connectors within a connector housing. Referring now toFIGS. 1-4, a set 10 of four jack modules 100 are shown. The modules 100would typically be mounted by fasteners 20 at flanges 22 to a panel,chassis or rack system side-by-side as shown. Modules 100 are configuredso as to increase the density of cable jacks that can be achieved in anygiven amount of space. In order to achieve a high density of jacks, theconnectors at the rear of the jack modules are arranged in a staggeredpattern. This allows sufficient room for connectors on the ends ofcables to fit around the connectors of the modules without blockingadjacent connectors. Although the preferred embodiment described hereinincorporates the present invention into a switching jack module, it isto be understood that the sliding connectors of the present inventioncould be used on a variety of other telecommunications equipmentsurfaces having connectors mounted therein.

[0031] Each module 100 includes a connector housing 105 having a rearsurface 110. Module 100 includes two connectors 120 and 122. Connectors120 and 122 are received in carriage 130. Connectors 120 and 122 alongwith carriage 130 slide within the connector housing 105 between firstand second positions. Connectors 120 and 122 are shown in firstpositions. Connectors 120′ and 122′ are shown in second positions. Byalternating the positions of adjacent connectors a staggered pattern canbe achieved as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a single jack module 100 is shownincorporating sliding connectors 120 and 122. Connectors 120 and 122 areBNC style connectors in the illustrated embodiment. The module 100includes a housing having a rear surface 110, a front surface 112, topand bottom surfaces 113 and 115, and two side surfaces 114 and 116 whichdefine a module interior. The modules may include edgewise extensions 33along the top for assisting insertion of the modules into a chassis orpanel. The rear surface defines connector windows 150 and 152.Connectors 120 and 122 are received in the connector windows 150 and152. The front surface 112 may define a plurality of connectors such asports 118 which are electrically connected to connectors 120 and 122 byan electric circuit within the module interior. The ports 118 mayinclude monitor ports 118 a and 118 b, cross-connect ports 118 c, andaccess ports 118 d and 188 e (IN and OUT ports). A plug 119 commonlyused for connecting a cable to the access ports 118 is shown in port 118e in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0033]FIG. 6A shows a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit 132 ofswitching jack module 100. In a digital signal cross-connect (dsx)module, typically the rear connectors 120 and 122 are connected tocables leading to remote equipment. The connectors 120 and 122 areelectrically connected to cross-connect ports 118 c. The cross-connectports 118 c are connected by jumper cables to cross-connect ports ofanother cross-connect module. The access ports 118 d and 118 e may beperiodically used to interrupt the signal passing between thecross-connect ports 118 c and the connectors 120 and 122 and to switch(via switches 109) the signals to pass through cables inserted into theaccess ports 118 d and 118 e. The monitor ports 118 a and 118 b may beused to monitor the signals passing through the module. The preferredembodiment shown in the figures incorporates BNC connectors 120 and 122.It is to be understood that the present invention may incorporate manyother types of connectors, for example TNC, 1.6/5.6, Type 43, twistedpair connectors including DB style, or ribbon styles, or other cableconnectors such as fiber optic connectors. The present invention may beemployed to slidably mount many types of connectors such as ports 118.The ports may be slidably mounted to a panel or chassis system with orwithout additional connectors on an opposing surface or panel.

[0034] Side surfaces 114 and 116 both define guide-slots 160 and 162.The guide-slots are characterized by a length which lies parallel to thedirection the connectors 120 and 122 slide when transitioning betweenthe first position and the second position.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a carriage 130 is shown forsupporting the connectors 120 and 122. The carriage 130 slides with theconnectors 120 and 122 within the connector housing 105. The carriage130 may include guide members such as guiderails 164 and 166. Theguiderails 164 and 166 are received in guide-slots 160 and 162 of theconnector housing 105 to retain the carriage 130 within the housing andguide the carriage 130 as it transitions between first and secondpositions. The carriage 130 and housing 105 could be reconfigured sothat the carriage 130 defines the guide-slot which receives a guiderailor other guide member included in the connector housing.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, in the preferred embodiment the carriageassembly 131 includes a carriage 130 and connectors 120 and 122. Thecarriage 130 includes first and second carriage members 170 and 172.Carriage members 170 and 172 define recesses 174 for receiving aconnector therein. Connectors 120 and 122 are trapped between carriagemembers 170 and 172 in recesses 174. Connectors 120 and 122 may includecollars 176 spaced apart along the connectors. The recessed portion ofcarriage members 170 and 172 may then be received between the connectorcollars 176 to prevent the connectors from being axially removed fromthe carriage 130.

[0037] Carriage members 170 and 172 include posts 178 and eyes 179.Posts 178 have a ramped surface 180. Eyes 179 have a retaining edge 181.Posts 178 are received by eyes 179 so that the retaining edge 181retains the carriage members 170 and 172 in a mating arrangementtrapping the connectors 120 and 122 between them. Carriage 130 may bemade of plastic. As can be seen in the FIG. 9, carriage member 170 isconfigured so that an identically shaped carriage member when rotated180 degrees can be coupled to carriage member 170 in a matingarrangement. Carriage member 172, is actually identical to carriagemember 170, only carriage member 172 is turned 180 degrees to be in amating position relative to carriage member 170. By configuring thecarriage members in this way, both carriage members 170 and 172 may beformed in the same mold, reducing the number of different parts used inthe assembly.

[0038] Alternatively, snaps, tabs, slots, inserts, tabs or otherengaging edges could be used to secure carriage members 170 and 172 in amating arrangement. Also, the carriage could be a single molded pieceinstead of two, for example the carriage could be injection moldedaround a connector. Carriage 130 in the figures receives two connectors120 and 122, but alternative embodiments could include single connectorcarriages receiving only one connector which would allow each individualconnector to be positioned independently of other connectors. Thecarriage 130 could be configured to receive more than two connectors.The connector housing could also be configured with a larger connectorwindow or multiple connector windows to allow the carriage andconnectors to be positioned in more than two positions. For example, athree-position system could include an intermediate position, an upperposition, and a lower position.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 5, the connector housing 105 defines firstand second apertures 190 and 192 connected by a channel 194. Carriage130 includes a protruding tab 196 received in the first aperture 190.The protruding tab extends from a flexible lever 191. The protruding tab196 includes edges 197 and 199 which retain the carriage 130 and theconnectors 120 and 122 in the first position by opposing edges of theapertures of the connector housing 105. The protruding tab 196 isdepressible so that when depressed, the carriage 130 and connectors 120and 122 may slide to the second position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). Inthe second position, protruding tab 196′ is received in the secondaperture 192 thereby retaining the carriage 130 and connectors in thesecond position.

[0040] Alternatively, the assembly may not include a means for retainingthe carriage and connectors in the selected position. Instead, thepresent invention could be used during installation to slide theconnectors from an initial position into a more accessible position inorder to connect or disconnect a cable to or from the connector. Thenthe connector could be allowed to slide back down into its originalposition.

[0041] The carriage and connector housing could be configured withvarious opposing edges in order to retain the carriage and connectors ina selected position. These could include engaging tabs and slots,push-and-slide, or pull-and-slide mechanisms. FIGS. 10-19 show examplesof alternatives for achieving this.

[0042]FIG. 10 shows a connector assembly 200 including a carriage 230with a single protruding tab 235 which can be transitioned between firstand second apertures 238 and 240 in connector housing 215 by eitherdepressing or pulling tab 235 from aperture 238 and sliding the carriage230 with the connectors 210 and 220. FIG. 11 shows two modules accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 10 with the connectors arranged in a staggeredpattern.

[0043]FIG. 12 shows a connector assembly 300 including a carriage 330with connectors 310 and 320. Connector housing 315 defines a fastenerhole 340 which receives a fastener 350. Fastener 350 may be insertedinto hole 340 to secure the carriage 330 in a selected position,fastener 350 may then be removed to allow carriage and connectors totransition to a different position as shown in FIG. 13.

[0044]FIG. 14 shows a connector assembly 400 including a carriage 430with connectors 410 and 420. Connector housing 415 defines a fasteneraperture 455 and 460 for both first and second positions. Carriage 430may define a mating fastener receptacle which is aligned beneathaperture 455 when the carriage 430 is in a first position and which isaligned beneath aperture 460 when the carriage 430 is in a secondposition. Fastener 450 may be inserted through connector housing 415into the fastener receptacle to retain the carriage 430 in a selectedposition. FIG. 15 show two assemblies according to the embodiment ofFIG. 14 in a staggered arrangement.

[0045]FIG. 16 shows a connector assembly 500 including a carriage 530with connectors 510 and 520. Connector housing 515 defines a slot 540.Slot 540 receives fastener 560 which may be tightened to retain carriage530 and connectors in a selected position or which may be loosened toallow the carriage to slide and transition to a new position. FIG. 17shows two assemblies according to the embodiment of FIG. 15 in astaggered arrangement.

[0046]FIG. 18 shows a connector assembly 600 including a carriage 630and connectors 610 and 620. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the connectorsthemselves act as the depressible element to allow transitions betweenpositions. The connectors when depressed would disengage interiorfeatures of the connector housing to allow transitions betweenpositions. Connector 620 is shown depressed indicating that connector620 may be transitioned to another position. FIG. 19 shows twoassemblies according to the embodiment of FIG. 18 in a staggeredarrangement.

[0047] By using two connector housings that include slidable connectorsaccording to the present invention, a staggered arrangement ofconnectors can be achieved. The method would include the step of slidinga slidable connector into a position on a first module and placing thefirst module adjacent a second module with a connector in a differentposition. Alternatively, the two modules could first be placed next toeach other and then one sliding connector would be slid to a staggeredposition relative to the connector in the second module.

[0048] The present invention can be employed in various applications.The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment disclosedherein. For example, the connector housing may be any panel having aflat surface in which connectors are disposed. Having described thepresent invention in its preferred embodiment, modifications andequivalents may occur to one skilled in the art. It is intended thatsuch modifications and equivalents shall be included within the scope ofthe claims which are appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector assembly for connecting to a cable,the connector assembly comprising: a connector housing having a planarsurface, the planar surface defining at least one connector window lyingin first plane; a connector received in the connector window of theplanar surface; wherein the connector is slidable parallel to the firstplane between a first position and a second position within theconnector window, and wherein the connector is constrained so that itslides only along one direction parallel to the planar surface; whereinthe connector is constrained from rotation relative to the connectorhousing in both the first and second positions.
 2. The connectorassembly of claim 1 further comprising a carriage which receives theconnector, the carriage being slidable with the connector between thefirst position and the second position relative to the connectorhousing.
 3. The connector assembly of claim 2 further comprising meansfor retaining the carriage and connector in a selected position alongthe direction of sliding.
 4. The connector assembly of claim 2 whereinthe carriage includes an edge which opposes an edge of the connectorhousing to retain the carriage in the first position.
 5. The connectorassembly of claim 2 wherein the connector housing defines a fasteneraperture, the assembly further comprising a fastener received in thefastener aperture, the fastener retaining the carriage in the firstposition.
 6. The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein one of theconnector housing and the carriage define at least one guide-slot havinga length which is parallel to a direction in which the carriage isslidable, and wherein the other includes at least one guide memberreceived in the guide-slot.
 7. The connector assembly of claim 2 whereinthe carriage receives a plurality of connectors, each connector beingreceived through a connector window defined by the connector housing,wherein the plurality of connectors are slidable together with thecarriage between the first and second positions.
 8. The connectorassembly of claim 1 wherein the connector is a first connector, andfurther comprising a second connector, wherein the first and secondconnectors are connected with a linking member, wherein the first andsecond connectors slide together relative to the connector housing. 9.The connector assembly of claim 8 wherein the connector housing is afirst connector housing, and further comprising a plurality ofadditional connector housings including first and second connectors,wherein the first connector housing and the additional connectorhousings are positioned adjacent to one another, wherein the first andsecond connectors of the first connector housing can be offset relativeto the first and second connectors of the additional connector housings.10. The connector assembly of claim 9 further comprising a retainer forselectively locking the first and second connectors and the linkingmember in the first and second positions.
 11. The connector assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the connector is a BNC connector.
 12. The connectorassembly of claim 1 wherein the connector includes a cylindrical portionand two bayonets.